A/N – Hello, everyone! Amethyst here, proving how completely off task I am! As someone who just completed the Champions' Ballad DLC for Breath of the Wild, I couldn't help myself. I had to start this. I'd been considering doing a BOTW fic for a while… but these final DLC cutscenes sold it for me. They're just... yes! ALL OF THE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IS FINALLY HERE!

WARNING: This first chapter is a novelization of the final DLC Pack 2 cutscene, so spoilers beware! If you don't want to know what happens, just go ahead and skip to the next chapter, because the rest of them will be original situations of my own planning.

With that in mind, I hope you enjoy The Champions' Ballad!

Now. Shall we begin?

Snap!

"I tell ya, those formal shindigs really take it out of me."

It hadn't been more than five minutes since the Champions had been newly christened in the inauguration ceremony at Hyrule Castle, and already Daruk was shaking out his arms and cricking his neck in relief. Link, by now, was quite used to the Goron's company. As such, he knew that there were two things Daruk excelled at: melee combat, and eating. Anything else, such as the ability to stand still for an extended period of time, was relegated to "hopeless". Regardless, Link smiled internally at the rock-eater's comment.

"Hmph." The sound of Revail's voice caught everyone's attention, strangely enough. Usually, when the Rito archer began a sentence with hmph, the rest of the Champions would tune him out. This time they listened; not because of Revali, but because of the object of his hmph-ing. "This is the Sheikah Slate, eh?"

"It is," replied Zelda certainly, her quiet voice following Revali's pompousness. "Apparently there are more uses for it than we originally thought. Sadly, we've yet to decipher all of its secrets." Before the Hylian princess had even finished speaking, Revali had grown bored of the Slate and unceremoniously dropped it in Mipha's hands.

While the Zora princess looked over the artifact herself, Lady Urbosa eyed Zelda warily. The two had been close friends since the time of the young girl's birth, and as such didn't miss the self-depreciating tone of her words. Zelda pushed herself too hard, in Urbosa's opinion, and blaming herself for lack of knowledge wasn't going to help anyone. Time to distract everyone, though Urbosa as she leaned over Mipha's shoulder to inspect the Sheikah Slate.

"The princess showed me something strange recently," said the Gerudo warrior, glancing down at the Zora in front of her. "Somehow it can create true-to-life images." A look of childlike fascination swpet across Mipha's face at hearing that.

"Oh, wow," she gasped quietly, before moving her amber gaze upward to look at Zelda. "I would love to see it." However, Zelda's head remained tilted down in deep thought, likely still brooding over how little they knew about the Sheikah Slate. Mipha didn't want to impose, but an idea suddenly occurred to her and she just couldn't help herself.

"Um, princess…" began Mipha uncertainly, although she became reassured as Zelda lifted her gaze to listen. "May I ask a special favor of you?" Mipha turned around as she spoke, glancing at the other Hylian behind her; Link, who'd still been talking Daruk.

The Hylian Champion seemed surprised that Mipha was looking at him, and the Zora princess forced her expression to remain neutral despite how adorable he looked. Concentrate, Mipha, the Zora scolded herself. You still haven't asked for that favor.

Mipha did her best to tear her gaze away from Link without showing too much reluctance, although she thought she heard a satisfied hmm… come from Urbosa's direction. "If it isn't asking for too much," continued Mipha, still nervous and barely able to meet Zelda's gaze. "I was wondering if we could use the Sheikah Slate to create a true-to-life image of us?" Revali rolled his emerald eyes and leaned down to Mipha.

"We can't afford to waste valuable resources on your little romantic fantasies, my dear," said the Rito in a quiet voice, a smirk drawing his beak open. Mipha's eyes widened as her face burned a bright red, frantically looking between Zelda, Revali, and Link.

"I-I-I did not mean just us," Mipha sputtered out, red humiliation still surrounding her face. Actually, that was what she meant, but Revali made it sound so ridiculous, and his confidence made her feel so ridiculous… "I, um, I-I wanted an image of all of us. Not just of me and L—um, yes. Of all of us." Zelda's expression brightened a little; not exactly a true smile, but it was better than before. Although, Mipha sure was acting strangely… A similar smile stretched Urbosa's face, and Daruk grinned likewise.

"Sounds like a great idea, Mipha!" announced the Goron Champion, pumping his fists. "Nothin' better to celebrate this honor than by making a painting of it! Or, uh… however the Slate does its thing." Zelda smiled at Daruk's enthusiasm before looking back at the other princess.

"I'm certain that could be arranged," Zelda affirmed with a short nod. "I'll need to check with Purah, as she probably can adjust the settings to get all of us at once…"

"All right. This spot should work nicely!" Purah's smile was impossibly wide as she hefted the Sheikah Slate, focusing it on the five Champions with Zelda wedged between them all. "Keep your eyes on the Sheikah Slate, everyone!" The researcher's perky voice continued chirping commands at the six most important people in all of Hyrule like they were little lapdogs.

"Daruk, can you crouch down a bit?" she asked, peeking over the Slate for a moment. "You're as big as Death Mountain." The Champion grunted in confusion for a moment before obeying the Sheikah girl.

"What's with the glum face, princess?" whined Purah, glancing at Zelda. "Gimme a big smile!" While Urbosa laid a reassuring hand on Zelda's back, Mipha was busy trying not to asphyxiate herself through tension. She was just so close to Link, and she wanted to get closer, but also didn't want to seem too forward… oh, what a dilemma she faced! Mipha wasn't even focused on the picture anymore; just her tantalizing proximity to Link. IshouldstayputIshouldstayputmaybeIcanmovejustabitcloserokayI'lldoit! Still as stiff as a Forest Dweller's Spear, Mipha inched a bit closer to Link while everyone was looking at Zelda.

Well… almost everyone. Revali was staring off to the side at anything but his brothers and sisters in arms. Much to his dismay, however, Purah did not miss his lack of amicableness.

"Revali, move your tail closer to the group," Purah scolded. Revali rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed groan.

"Ugh, fine," huffed the Rito archer, reluctantly scooting closer to the group. He did all he could to avoid Urbosa's eyes, because he could practically feel the smug smirk she was giving him. The Gerudo woman could be insufferable at times…

"Mipha, you look so tense," Purah said, sympathy lacing her words. "Deep breaths, okay?" The Zora spearwoman let out a flustered "right!" and placed her hands on her chest, trying to force herself to stay calm and not succumb to a nervous breakdown. From across the group, Revali smirked at Mipha's discomfort. He found her so amusing when she was being so pathetically obvious about her feelings towards the Hylian Champion. Even more amusing was the fact that the Hylian was an unfeeling creature that never emoted and would never reciprocate. Ever.

Thankfully, Purah's inane sense of perfectionism was finally sated. "Stay just like that!" she chirped cheerfully, adjusting the Sheikah Slate once again. "Here we go! Smiiiile…" As Purah's finger descended on the button, she saw a devious grin split Daruk's face. "Click, snap!~" Just as the words left her mouth, Daruk wrapped the entire group into a huge hug, nearly knocking over Revali. Link's normally vacant face changed to one of surprise. While Zelda leaned away from the collapsing Revali, Urbosa seemed practically unaffected, a confident smile/smirk still tugging at her lips. Mipha, poor girl, suffered nearly the same fate as Revali… but Daruk's impact sent her flying straight into her favorite Hylain's chest.

Purah was giggling to herself as she watched the aftermath. Urbosa rubbed Zelda's shoulders reassuringly, no doubt telling the girl something heartwarming. Revali, meanwhile, was indignantly trying to intimidate Daruk, who was too busy laughing to care. Mipha, on the other hand, was looking anywhere but Link's eyes, her face the same color as a Big Hearty Radish as Link looked her over with a bit of concern, which was only adding to the flustered Zora's blush.

Maybe Calamity Ganon will awake, Purah thought to herself as she stared at the picture. And maybe we won't be able to control the Guardians in time. Maybe this is all for nothing. The Sheikah girl smiled fondly as she looked up at the bickering/infatuated/caring/confused/laughing Champions.

But, as long as these good friends are together, protecting Hyrule will be a snap!~

E/N – I hope you enjoyed! Make sure to drop a review on your way out, if you'd be so kind. More is coming soon, don't worry! And by soon, I mean in like, ten seconds. I made the first two chapters at the same time so anti-spoiler people would have something to read.

Write on,

EyeofAmethyst07